Category Archives: Recommendation

Baseball for Breakfast A (Mostly) True Story by Judy Campbell-Smith

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Unshers in nightgowns? Cornflakes for breakfast at a baseball game?

Jimmy’s family loved to go watch the Milwaukee Brewers with his family, but during World War II things changed. Pop went overseas to fight and Ma worked at night in the factory. Ma was too tired to go to the games. One day Jimmy met the Brewers owner and morning baseball games started.

During World War II, the Brewers owner, Bill Veeck started offering morning games so that night factory workers could attend the games. Cornflakes, doughnuts and coffee were offered at the games. Over the course of the season about six morning games were played by the Brewers.

Jimmy and his family were invented by the author, but the morning baseball games are a little known piece of baseball history. The author’s note at the end tells more about the morning games and Bill Veeck.

We All Love by Julie Flett

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We All Love is another thoughtful and lovely work by Julie Flett. There is a slow thoughtfulness to her books that makes a nice antidote to the often chaotic media that greets many young kids today. Flett’s illustrations are charming, and there is enough detail in the images to keep kids engaged without overstimulating them. The message of love can be felt on every page. The dedication at the beginning and author’s note at the end make this message even more powerful and clear.

The book features a few words in Cree, and the back matter provides additional terms and information about the Cree language. There are tips and pronunciation guides, but not a phonetic guide for pronouncing the words, so adults unfamiliar with them should practice the pronunciation prior to reading aloud.

This would make an excellent read-aloud for preschool and kindergarten-age kids, and young children will enjoy looking at the variety of animals found throughout.

You Are the Land by Steph Littlebird

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The illustrator of the beautiful My Powerful Hair and Fierce Aunties has created a lovely book about our connection to the land and the people around us. The illustrations in the book are vibrant and show many of the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest. Littlebird also begins the book with an author’s note talking about her tribe, their beliefs, and her hopes for the book. Its inclusion at the beginning of the book will help adults and kids read the book with a clearer understanding of and greater appreciation for the message of the story.

This book would make a great addition to any school or home library. Kids of all ages will be drawn to the striking illustrations, and the message about our connection to and responsibility for the land will benefit all.

Sundust by Zeke Peña

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Sundust is a remarkable book. Peña’s illustrations are captivating, with primarily muted colors but also splashes of neon pink on every page. The desert habitat is vibrant and alive, and you can feel the characters’ love for it as they wander through in search of something they saw fall from the sky on the title page.

The text and story feel like a poem about the adventure, creatures, and beauty of the desert, and the magical elements of the book somehow feel natural as well. As soon as I finished, I flipped right back to the start to go on the journey again, and I know kids will do the same over and over again. It’s a book teachers could use when studying habitats or poetic devices, but it would also just make a fantastic read-aloud. I believe any elementary-aged student, from kindergarten to fifth grade, would find this book highly engaging, and it would be a fantastic addition to any school or home library.

Meet Cristiano Ronaldo by Rachel Daniels

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Meet Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the Easy Star Biographies. Each spread of pages features a two page spread color photograph and one to two simple sentences about Cristiano Ronaldo. The facts in the book are basic like the team he plays for and the jersey number he wears. More detailed facts are included at the end, as well as key dates, a glossary, index, and websites to learn more about Cristiano Ronaldo. An early introduction to biographies for young readers.

Better Pets by Leigh Bardugo

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Everyone has a pet. Sam has a lamb and Myrtle has a turtle. Yvette and Evan don’t have pets – yet. They want to be thoughtful about the pets they choose and not have any regrets. They visit the adoption fair, but then the Better Pets emporium comes to town with some peculiar pets. A Springer Spaniel with spring coiled legs to reach the high stuff. A Water Moccasin to bring you a glass of water. What type of pet will they choose?

The book is full of creativity and chaos. The better pets names are puns and highlighted in a different colored text.The pictures illustrate the pun. The Hoarse Horse is a horse with and ice pack on its head coughing into a phone. The book is chaotically funny as the two friends search for the best pet for them.

Jia Has a Dog Problem by Stephanie Ellen Sy

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Jia lives on the second floor of an apartment building in a busy city. She is terrified of dogs. She has never been bitten or chased but she is still afraid. In the same building lives a dog named Charlie who is scared of children despite never being bitten or chased. One day Jia and Charlie are both outside when a storm comes and there is only one place to hide. Despite their fear, they find comfort in each other.

The watercolor illustrations are bright and colorful and help tell more of the story. Exaggerated facial expressions and cartoon-like pictures to illustrate their thoughts assist the story. An excellent choice for overcoming fear and finding a new friend.

The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk

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The Outermost Mouse lives with an old man in the Outermost House at the very tip of the beach. She loves her life, the house, the wind, and the beach. A storm is coming and the ocean is getting very close. Mouse tries to warn the gulls, the fish, and the foxes but they don’t seem to care. Outermost Mouse sets out to protect her house.

This book was inspired by a real house on Cape Cod that was swept away by a storm in 1978. Henry Beston, a naturalist and writer, build the house that became known as the Outermost House.

Even though this book is about a house being swept away in a storm, there is a calm and peace throughout the story. The text and the beautiful watercolor illustrations offer a calming, reassuring presence to the story.

Cool Cars – Series

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This Bellwether Media series is sure to be a hit with car enthusiasts. Each title is packed with stats and specs focusing on special features for each vehicle. The text is supported by diagrams, timelines, maps, and a glossary. Nontraditional options are included such as hybrid and electric vehicles. Students who are familiar with cars will easily connect with the content.

There are 32 titles in this series. The books reviewed from this series:
–Ford Mustang: Dark Horse
–Toyota GR: Supra
–Lamborghini: Countach
–Maserati: Grancabrio

Do You Really Know Flamingos? by Brandon Todd

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Frank E. Armadillo (the E stands for Expert, Explorer Extraordinaire) knows about a lot of stuff. Like flamingos. Or as he refers to them pretty, princess birds who are practicing to be ballerinas and are pink because they eat cotton candy. But when he is interrupted by a real flamingo, Frank begins to question if he really knows about flamingos and learns that real experts ask lots of questions.

An entertaining book with facts about flamingos which also teaches readers that they don’t need to have all the answers and it is good to ask questions to become an expert. This book could be used as a starting point for animal research.